Towards the closing stages the 9th edition of the National Football League (NFL) produced unforgettable and incredible stuff. The outcome saw two Goa teams perched on top of the League standings - they were Dempo (Winners) and Sporting de Clube Goa (runners up), East Bengal who were on a roll for a hat-trick stood third. The glamorous club Mohun Bagan put up a pathetic display but managed to save relegation. However the Bengal clubs put up a stout-hearted display in the U -19 NFL at Mumbai. Mohun Bagan Juniors did their club proud by lifting the title for the first time. In order to know how Indian football has progressed after the 9th Edition, we met Mr. Santan D'Costa at WIFA Cooperage grounds, Mumbai. He elaborated at length how football could move in the right direction and become highly successful.

•To begin with the National Association could take a cue from the tiny State of Goa, where they already have in place a plan to groom talent at the junior level (under 12 and under 14 boys). The AIFF, through its constituent States could start specific coaching programs for building layers of various age groups, right from the age of 8 to 19 years. If the players at the grass root level are taken care of and imparted proper training in basic skills, techniques, stamina, accuracy, team work and co-ordination, the youngsters will certainly bloom into mature players. The AIFF should perhaps evaluate the contribution of Tata Football Academy at Jamshedpur and consider establishing similar academies on a regional basis. The need of the hour is to devote time and effort to identify and develop talent, and not wait for players of merit to emerge on the national scene by chance!

• We should also create the infrastructure necessary to produce talented players. In this regard particular attention has to be given to playing surfaces (you cannot expect good results on mud grounds), dressing rooms, bathrooms and toilet facilities and a cafeteria.

• Further, you cannot overlook organized coaching as an important factor. To produce quality players, you require quality coaches committed to the game. It is necessary to adopt an ongoing programme for training the coaches. The Programme would, naturally, take into account their competence and suitability for coaching at different levels, the successful ones being suitably rewarded.

• Equal attention must be given to efforts for improvement in the standard of refereeing. We often forget that referees are the other side of the coin. It's no use decrying the standard of refereeing when the standard of football in the country has fallen below expectations. Any Referee Improvement Programme must start with setting high recruitment standards, viz. good qualifications, personality, fitness, communication skills, and command over the laws of the game. The ability to interpret and apply the rules with consistency, uniformity and maturity to give on the spot decisions need hardly be underscored. Mental toughness and an insight into player behaviour and psychology are high points that add up to the referee's assessment.